Medieval Terminology

The following is a list of common medieval terms that you might run across as a reader of my stories, or others set in Medieval Times. But don’t worry; I won’t use too many of these—just enough to flavor the narrative or dialogue.

Aid: A financial obligation the vassal owed his lord for special circumstances or occasions.

Anon: At once or soon.

Aye, Yea: Yes.

Cornettes: Two-pointed headdress.

Coz: Cousin.

Craft: A skilled labor.

Daub: Clay and hair smeared over a wooden structure of a house.

Demesne: Land held directly by the lord.

Eyre: English Court.

Fief, Feud: Land held from a lord.

Fisyk: Medicine.

Flail: A stick used to separate wheat grains from ears.

Frankpledge: A pledge made by all the members of a community in which they vowed to take responsibility for their actions. If one person broke the law, all were responsible for bringing that person to justice.

Free-lance: A term used for mercenaries.

Heriot: A death tax paid by the murderer if someone was killed.

Hither: Here.

Host: Military service owed to a lord.

Journeyman, Journeywoman: A skilled worker who was employed by guildmasters or who worked independently for daily wages.

Knave: A disrespectful form of address to a man.

Knotty-pated, Addle-pated: stupid.

Ling: A type of fish.

Lingulae: The keys on an organ.

Manor: Land held by a lord and worked by tenants.

Nay: No.

Oblate: Someone who entered the church at an early age.

Oblation: A fee paid to the church by someone who gave their child to the clergy.